Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame Awards Four Scholarships to UCO Mass Comm Students

May 2, 2024

Left to Right: Shanice Hopkins, Mireya Paramo, Bailey Williams and Jake Ramsey

Four UCO Mass Comm students were awarded scholarships during the recent 54th annual Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, May 2, in the Nigh University Center. The awards are as follows:

Shanice Hopkins: Joan Gilmore Scholarship for Outstanding Mass Communication Sophomore

Shanice Hopkins is a professional media student. She’s a multimedia journalist and anchor for UCentral Media and is also a contributing writer for The Vista. She leads UCO’s chapter of the Association of Black Journalists as president and is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Shanice aims to work for a local news station after college, with interests in investigative and political journalism.

Mireya Paramo: Bryan Jay Walke Scholarship in Journalism Ethics  

Mireya Katherine Paramo’s research project “Journalists in a Fight for Life, Death, or Ethics” highlighted the dangers that Mexican journalists face. She presented her research at the Liberal Arts Symposium in April. Mireya is a strategic communications senior. Throughout her time as a communications major, she has grown an interest in media literacy and its cultural impact, whether it’s within a certain community or on a global scale.

Bailey Williams: Bryan Jay Walke Scholarship in Journalism Ethics

Bailey Williams’ research project focused on “The Ethics of Modern Representation of Those with Physical Disabilities in Film and Television.” Bailey, a professional media major who is also minoring in creative writing and psychology, presented at the Liberal Arts Symposium in April. They grew up in Enid and have always had a passion for writing. Bailey hopes to pursue a career in entertainment journalism after graduating. They also want to continue growing as a media professional and disability rights advocate, as well as advocate for other marginalized groups.

Jake Ramsey: Oklahoma Press Association Award for Outstanding Promise in Journalism

Jake Ramsey is a junior and was the recipient of the inaugural Joan Gilmore Scholarship last year. He serves as both managing editor of The Vista and director of the UCentral Media newscast. He will be the incoming The Vista editor in chief.

“Working in both print and broadcast has allowed me to expand and develop my skills as a journalist, which I plan to take out into the world after I graduate in the spring of 2025,” Jake said.